NHS England’s blood donation service has appealed for new donors amid declining appointments booked over the coming months.
The NHS says 224,658 new people registered to give blood between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. This is a 28 per cent decrease from the 313,567 people who signed up the previous year.
The NHS Blood and Transplant website says that 4,300 blood donations are required on average daily to meet the needs of patients in NHS hospitals.
The NHS issued an amber alert to hospitals in England in July 2024, warning them that supplies of O-type blood were so low that their use would need to be restricted.
It is the second time in history that this alert has been issued, meaning supplies are low enough to impact patient care.
As reported by the BBC on Wednesday (August 28), officials said blood supplies had improved since then — but there is still a risk that the care of hospital patients could be affected.
London’s six donor centres have around 37,000 appointments still available to book between now and the end of October. The NHS urgently needs donors to fill these to ensure stock levels are sustainable.
Here are the reasons for the shortage and how you can help.
Why are O-type blood supplies so low?
A ransomware attack in June meant several London hospitals — including King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ — could not match patients’ blood at the same frequency as usual. This caused hospitals to cancel operations, tests, and transfusions. In addition to unfilled appointments, this attack caused blood supplies to fall to “unprecedently low levels”.
An appeal was quickly launched for O blood-type donors to book appointments to donate. O-negative blood is the universal blood type as it can be given to anyone and is regularly used in emergencies when a patient’s blood type is unknown.
O-positive blood can be widely used and administered to anyone with a positive blood type — 76 per cent of the population. However, O-type blood has a shelf life of 35 days, so supplies must be restocked constantly.
Who should donate blood?
In addition to appealing to those with O-type blood to donate, the NHS has called for young people between 17 and 24 to give blood. Earlier this year, it was revealed that there were more blood donors over the age of 45 than under for the first time in five years,
Additionally, an increased number of black donors are needed due to rising demand for Ro blood, a subtype of sickle cell disease patients need. These patients disproportionally come from black African and Caribbean backgrounds. Data from 2017 showed that only 1 per cent of active blood donors in the UK were black.
Can I donate my blood?
While most fit and healthy people can donate, the NHS says you’ll need to be between the age of 17 and 65 and weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone to give blood.
However, you can’t donate blood if you:
Have had most types of cancer
Have certain heart conditions
Have received blood, platelets, plasma or any other products after January 1, 1980
Have tested positive for HIV
Have had an organ transplant
Are a hepatitis B or C carrier
Have infected non-prescribed drugs (including body-building and injectable tanning agents)
Other factors may also affect your ability to donate. These include additional medical conditions, pregnancy, sexual activity, recent tattoos and piercings, and travel to certain countries outside of the UK.
Visit the NHS website for a comprehensive list.
How do I donate my blood?
To book an appointment at your closest centre, you can register here.
The BBC has reported that the NHS has added 1,000 weekly appointments to increase blood supplies amid the shortage.
Before donating, donors are recommended to avoid vigorous exercise, eat regular meals, and drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic).
Donors can give up to one 470-millilitre bag of blood (just under a pint) per appointment If iron levels are adequate. Donors will receive drinks and snacks to help them recover from the blood loss.
Visit this website for more details about the process.
